harris



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

W. T.. HARB,IS. VALVE.

No. 433,731. Patented Aug. 5-, 1890 wwmom jwuamtoz (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

W. T. HARRIS.

VALVE.

Patented Aug. 5, 1890.

wuamtoz QW-bweoow UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

IVILLIAM T. HARRIS, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 433,731, dated August 5, 1890'.

Application filed January 12, 1888. $erial No. 260,499. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM T. HARRIS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Indianapolis, in the county of Marion and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Valves, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my said invention is to provide a valve for steam-engines arranged so that the steam-pressure will be distributed in such a manner as to perfectly balance the valve and obviate any friction between the several parts, with other various improvements in the details of construction by which the valve is rendered more perfect in operation, as will be hereinafter more particularly described.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, which are made a part hereof, and on which similar letters of reference indicate similar parts, Figure 1 is a horizontal sectional view through the top of a steam chest embodying my said invention, looking downwardly from the dotted line 1 1 in Fig. 2; Fig. 2, a central longitudinal section through said steam-chest and a portion of the cylinder on the dotted line 2 2 in Fig. 1; Fig. 3, a cross-section on the dotted line 3 3 in Fig. 2 5 Fig. 4, a detail horizontal section looking upwardly from the dotted line at 4 in Fig. 3; Fig. 5, a detail view of a portion of Fig. 2 on an enlarged scale, and Fig. 6 a side elevation of a set of antifriction rollers used in connection with my invention separately.

In said drawings, the portions marked A represent the cylinder; B, the steam-chest; O, the slide-valve, and D the plate interposed between the top of the slide-valve and the steam-chest.

The cylinder A and steam-chest Bare of substantially a well-known construction, and are arranged and secured together in the well-known manner. An oilerB is mounted upon the top of said steam-chest, having branches b extending out transversely therefrom, which communicate with perforated tubes N, which are screwed into suitable seats in the top of the steam-chest, the perforations registering with perforations at the bottom of said seats and leading into the steam-chest, as shown.

The slide valve 0 is, in general, of substantially the usual form, being provided with a flange 0, around its lower edge to form a suitable seat. The operating-rod, by which it is connected to the eccentric, (or the means by which it is driven,) is secured thereto by means of a yoke surrounding it in the wellknown manner. On its top it is provided with the plate C, rigidly secured thereto by means of bolts 0 and projecting over its top a distance corresponding with the width of the flange 0, thus affording exactly the same amount of surface for the steam to press against in an upward direction that the flange does for it to press against in a downward direction, and thus practically balancing the valve, as all its other parts are formed with an exactly equal amount of surface exposed on both their top and under sides.

In the top of the valve I provide two steamexhaust ports 0 some portion of each of which at all times registers with some portion of corresponding ports B formed in the top of the steam-chest. (See Figs. 1 and 3.)

The plate D is interposed between the top of the plate C and the top of the steam-chest, and provided with a downwardly-projecting tongue (1, extending around its under face near the edge, which engages with a corresponding groove 0 in the top face of the plate 0. In the bottom of this groove 0 I mount a number of springs 0 arranged to .bear upwardly against said tongue (or a suitable packing substance (1 interposed between said springs and tongue, as shown,) and maintain the plate in position, so that its top will bear against the top of the steam-chest tightly. Perforations c are also provided, which communicate with the lowerparts of said groove, and thus, if the action of the spring should not be sufficient, the pressure of the steam admitted through these perforations will act to hold said plate tightly against the top of the steam-chest at all times, and thus compensate for any wear that may occur. As an additional means forholding up said plate, springs 61 may be mounted beneath it in suitable seats in the top of the valve, as shown. Said plate D is, also formed with circular flanges D, which extend down into the openings formed in the top of the valve to near the under face of said valve, completely covering the joints between the several parts, and having packing-rings d interposed in the joint between them and the faces of the perforations in the valve to preclude the possibility of any steam getting between the several plates. At each end of the valve, both above and below, are mounted a number of small rollers 0 arranged between two strips or bars C one set being interposed beneath each end of the valve and another set above each end 'of the plate D, said plate having a suitable depression formed at each end to afford a seat for said rollers.

The operation of my said invention is as follows: The parts being in the position shown and described, it will be readily understood that the steam exerts an equal pressure in all directions, and therefore the heretofore great pressure upon the top of the valve bearing it down on its seat and necessitating a great power to move said valve is entirely obviated and all friction between the several parts removed. By means of the peculiar arrangement of oiler shown I admit the oil at each end of the parts in a very desirable position for this construction of valve, each movement of said valve allowing a quantity of oil to escape, which keeps all the parts thoroughly lubricated. By means of the rollers at each end, top, and bottom, and the equal distribu- I tion of pressure in all directions practically no friction at all is allowed to exist between the several parts, which operate upon each other, and by means of the peculiar arrangement of the exhaust-ports a direct and short exhaust is provided, allowing the steam to es cape and be taken directly from the top of the steam-chest, making a very quick engine. However, if for any reason it should be desired, the top of these exhaust-ports can be closed in any manner and the steam exhausted through the ordinary port in the wellknown manner, the same being indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 3.

Havingthus fully described my said invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-=' 1. ha steam-engine, the combination of the valve 0, the plate C mounted on top of said valve 0 and rigidly secured thereto, said plate being of a size to extend beyond the top of said valve a distance corresponding with the surface of the flange around its lower edge and formed with a groove in its top face near its edge, and the plate D, of a corresponding size, mounted on the top of said plate 0 and provided with a tongue on its under face near its edge engaging with said groove in said plate 0, substantially as described, and for the purposes specified.

2. The combination, with the steam-chest, of a valve carrying packing on its top which fits against the top of the steam-chest, and the oiler 13, mounted on the top of said steam chest, provided with the laterally-projecting arms, and the tubes arranged to register with perforations in the top of said steam-chest at each side of said packing, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, with the steam-chest B,

provided with exhaust-ports in its top, the

valve 0, mounted therein, the plate D, elastically mounted on the top thereof and bearing against the top of said steam-chest, said valve being provided with perforations in its top, and said plate D being provided with circular flanges extending down into said perforations, which are arranged to register with the exhaust-port in the top of said steamchest, all substantially as set forth.

4. The combination, with the steanrchest and valve, said valve being arranged to bear against both the top and bottom of said steamchest, of a set of anti-friction rollers arranged at each end between said valve and steamchest at both the top and bottom, substantially as set forth.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal, at Indianapolis, Indiana, this 9th day of January, A. D. 1888.

WILLIAM T. HARRIS. 

